ILOILO – The ongoing El Niño event has led to significant agricultural damage in Iloilo, specifically impacting rice, corn, and high-value crops.
As reported by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) on March 4, the damage has escalated to P487.828 million. The breakdown included P422,610,445 in rice damage, P63,000,201 in corn, and P2,218,350 in high-value crops.
PAO has received damage reports from 16 towns, with the rice sector heavily affected. The detailed figures are as follows: Tigbauan (P17,591,834), Oton (P32,475,326), Tubungan (P22,122,120), Anilao (P52,223,800), San Enrique (P2,956,879), Cabatuan (P42,881,524), Barotac Nuevo (P67,919,610), Miag-ao (P2,872,117.86), Mina (P7,962,403), Dingle (P7,338,811), Dumangas (P121,045,130), Igbaras (P1,529,505), Banate (P21,553,300), Zarraga (P913,008), San Miguel (P5,839,222), and Carles (P15,385,850).
This has affected 8,504 rice farmers across the mentioned towns.
Dr. Ildefonso Toledo, PAO head, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that the damage to the rice sector alone affects over 8,000 farmers, with financial losses surpassing P400 million as of March 4.
Corn crops have also sustained significant damage totaling P63,000,201, impacting 823 farmers in San Enrique (P2,482,650), Barotac Viejo (P50,681,952), Barotac Nuevo (P1,005,952), Dingle (P759,015), Estancia (P6,006,105), and Concepcion (P2,064,526).
Damage to high-value crops amounted to P2,218,350, with reports from Igbaras (P1,283,150), San Miguel (P24,800), and Tubungan (P910,400).
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government is ready to assist the farmers impacted by El Niño. Given that the current figures are based on a partial report, the extent of the damage is expected to rise further.
PAGASA forecasts that El Niño may last until May 2024, raising concerns over the ongoing dry spell in Iloilo, which could intensify into a drought in the coming months.
Drought conditions are defined by a reduction in rainfall of more than 60 percent below the average for three consecutive months, compared to a dry spell characterized by a 21 to 60 percent reduction.
Engr. Ferdinand Rubin Jr., a weather specialist at PAGASA Iloilo, highlighted the potential for water shortages in both household and agricultural sectors due to the drought.
The region is currently experiencing temperatures ranging from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, contributing to the hottest recorded temperature this year of 34.2 degrees Celsius on March 3, following 33.9 degrees Celsius on February 21./PN
